Junior. Part 2.

Saturday morning was a sad, sad morning. Friday night Steve and I realized that little Junior was making our girls sick. We called the Pet Store Saturday morning and they told us to bring him back. What he has wasn't easy to treat and the girls would continue to catch it as well. My heart ached as Steve told Reagan and as I watched her hold her new little buddy and pet him and cry. It's amazing how quickly we can attach to something. Not that I was attached to him, but much worse, my baby girl was. Watching her hurt is so much more difficult than hurting myself. And I know there will be many times throughout her life that she will ache and I hope and pray I can extend compassion and love to her during those times. Most of all, it is another opportunity where her heart is softened towards the love of God and His care and His comfort. I loved being able to pray for her about it, or when my Mama called and said they prayed for her at their Wednesday morning prayer meeting at church! Being able to point her to the true Prince of Peace is worth the ache, even when it is hard.

Steve is so sweet and explained things to her so well. After he told the girls (Sydney didn't seem to care at all, and Jordyn was clueless except for the fact that her Sissy was upset which she did care about) he took them to Home Depot for a craft while I took Junior back. Jordyn has asked for him everyday since then, but Reagan is doing fine! We won't be housing any more indoor animals for a long, long, long time, though!

Junior.

We have a new member of our family. He is growing on me. See, I only had a fish when I was younger and I killed it by feeding it to much. It always looked hungry to me.

I can't believe it, but I'm actually the one who recommended we get the girls a pet for Christmas. We started out surprising them and telling them they were getting two hamsters. After an informative conversation with the man at the pet store, I came home and talked to Steve and we reconsidered thinking a tiny little hamster may not make it very long in our home with a 2, 4 and 6 year old! So, we went with the more lovable, less rat-like looking rodent - a guinea pig. Of course, in my naive thinking I believed he would be the girls' responsibility and that Steve would take care of the rest. But I just can't stand all the poo. So, I've already cleaned his cage out a couple of times and it's not so bad. (And I'm not slamming my husband, I'm sure if I asked him he would take care of business, but I know he's busy and it just doesn't bug the rest of them like it does me!) And, a week into it, I actually touched the little guy. Yesterday I found myself alone in the girls' room on the floor talking to him! Reagan has really enjoyed him and has been holding him and feeding him and Sydney enjoys him, but not to the extent her older sister does. Jordyn likes to just sit and watch him and yell out his name! So, we'll see how this whole pet thing goes! I'm thinking our next pet will be an outdoor one, though!

Oh, and why "Junior"? I told the girls to agree on a girl and boy name so when I came home from the pet store they would have a name for their new little gift! When I told them he's a boy, they told me his name and I about rolled on the floor. They said "Since he's a boy, we want to name him Steve Jr. and call him 'Junior'!! I guess Steve isn't quite as outnumbered now!!

A couple of things we've learned about guinea pigs...

They don't need hay 3 times a day. One small handful is sufficient. You have to clean out the cage a lot less often.

Same with treats. They only need a small amounts...not a carrot, a handful of parsley and an orange slice. Has the same affect as lots of hay.

They are playful and squeal like little piggies when they are happy!

They are sweet with little girls who give them some lovin' and attention!